BMB504: Fundamental Molecular Biology
Study Board of Science
Teaching language: Danish
EKA: N200031102
Assessment: Second examiner: External
Grading: 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Autumn
Level: Bachelor
STADS ID (UVA): N200031101
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 12-05-2020
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Archive
Comment
Entry requirements
The course is not open for Biomedicine or BMB students or students that follow or have followed BMB533.
Academic preconditions
The course builds upon FF503 Chemistry, Biology and Molecular Biology – the Empiric Experimental Science or BB537 Biology from Molecule to Ecosystem.
Course introduction
The course gives a fundamental knowledge about molecular biological in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Students will learn about the structure of biological macromolecules (DNA, RNA and proteins) as well as their functions in the storage and transfer of genetic information in cells.
Furthermore, the course introduces relations between the structure and function of proteins and how selected macromolecules interact with other biomolecules or drugs. The molecular mechanism leading to selected diseases will be discussed during the course.
The course gives the basis for studying the following topics:
- Toxicology, Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy (BSc. in Pharmacy)
- Bioorganic chemistry topics (BSc./MSc. in Chemistry)
- Molecular aspects of evolution, projects involving molecular methods(BSc./MSc in Biology).
With respect to the qualification profile of the study, this course specifically contributes to:
- the insight into structure and function of biomolecules at the molecular level (Degree in Biology)
- knowledge required to teach biology at high school level (Degree in Biology)
- the knowledge about fundamental biochemistry and molecular biology (Degree in Chemistry)
- knowledge about and understanding of biochemistry and disease mechanisms at the molecular level (Degree in Pharmacy).
Expected learning outcome
When completing the course, the students should be able to:
- Use the general terms in molecular biology
- Outline the flow of genetic information between genes and proteins
- Explain the relation between the structure and function of nucleic acids
- Describe the basic molecular events behind DNA replication, RNA transcription and protein translation
- Give the basic composition and names of enzymes involved in DNA replication, RNA transcription and translation.
- Explain the various levels of regulation of gene expression and the role of chromatin structure in this regulation.
- Outline the principles of common techniques in molecular biology and protein analysis.
- Relate the chemical composition of proteins to their structure.
- Give examples of molecular mechanisms underlying diseases.
- Define “homology” at the molecular level
- Outline examples of protein structure-function relationship
Content
The following subjects will be presented and discussed:
- The flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA and to proteins.
- Structure and function of nucleic acids
- Principles of DNA replication and regulation of this process
- DNA damage and repair and their role in diseases
- Basic molecular biology techniques such as DNA sequencing, PCR, mutagenesis and gene cloning
- The genetic code
- Mechanism of RNA transcription
- Regulation of gene expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms
- RNA processing and its role in gene expression regulation
- The role of bioinformatics in understanding evolution.
- Basic concepts in alignment of DNA, RNA and protein sequences.
- How protein sequence governs protein structure.
- Selected examples of protein structure-function relation.
- The mechanism of protein synthesis and translocation within the cell. The role of mRNA, ribosomes, tRNAs and tRNA synthases in these processes.
- Basic techniques in protein analysis: electrophoresis, chromatography and centrifugation.
Literature
Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto & Lubert Stryer: Biochemistry, 9. edition; 2019 (W.H. Freeman & Co Ltd.)
See Blackboard for syllabus lists and additional literature.
Examination regulations
Exam element a)
Timing
January
Tests
Written exam
EKA
N200031102
Assessment
Second examiner: External
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Student Identification Card
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Duration
2 hours
Examination aids
Not allowed, a closer description of the exam rules will be posted under 'Course Information' on Blackboard.
ECTS value
5
Additional information
The examination form for re-examination may be different from the exam form at the regular exam.
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
The teaching is based on the faculty's three-phase model.
- Intro phase: 22 hours. Lectures based on course textbook Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto, Lubert Stryer: Biochemistry, 9th edition.
- Skills training phase: 20 hours.
Activities during the study phase:
- Online training in solving multiple choice questions. (Eight electronic tests will be available during the course. The tests are designed to familiarise students with the examination form.)
- Self-study of course textbook before lectures and during exam preparation.
- Preparing for tutorials (problems solving)